Disposable reservoir package for liquid-dispenser having valve and operating float

ABSTRACT

A disposable reservoir for water-coolers, or similar liquid dispensers, comprising a package preferably consisting of a bag, box and valve with operating float assembly, the valve and operating float being of such a nature that when the package is mounted on a water-cooler or the like as its reservoir, the valve opens automatically to supply water into the well of the cooler and is closed by the float, which is positioned in the well, whenever necessary, to maintain a predetermined level of water in the well.

PATENIEL MIN 1 9 I974 SHEET 1 BF 7 PATENTELHSV I 9l974 76 SHEET 30F 7PATENIE NOV 1 9 I974 848.776 sum 5 or 7 DISPOSABLE RESERVOIR PACKAGE FORLIQUID-DISPENSER HAVING VALVE AND OPERATING FLOAT This invention will bedescribed with reference to the reservoirs for water-coolers but it isto be understood that the reservoir can be used on variousliquiddispensing devices which require periodic replacement of theemptied reservoir with a filled one.

As is well-known, water-dispensers or coolers now in use have a cabinetdesigned to receive a replaceable water-supply receptacle or reservoirat the upper end thereof to gravity-feed into a well from which thewater is withdrawn by a spigot orfaucet. The most commonly usedreservoir is a large heavy glass returnable bottle which has thewell-recognized disadvantages of being unwieldly, difficult to transportfilled and empty, requiring sterilization before filling, sealing afterfilling, etc. For these reasons it has been proposed in recent years toreplace the glass bottles with disposable-type packages consisting of afibre-box enclosing a waterfilled plastic bag. However, because of thefact that the bag is flexible and will collapse under atmosphericpressure as water is withdrawn therefrom, as compared to the rigid glassbottle which resists that pressure, it has been necessary to modify thewater-cooler itself to provide controlled-flow from the bag into thereceiving well on the water-cooler. These modifications of thewater-cooler have ordinarily consisted of complicated valvearrangements, sometimes float-operated, which are expensive as originalequipment or added attachments on the water-cooler, diflicult tomaintain, unsanitary, etc. Some water dispensers also include heatingmeans and attempts have been made to use flexible bags for the reservoirthereof, the bag being so mounted that it is sealed to the well. Howeverthis arrangement has not been practicable because steam from the wellmust be vented into the bag and, even if the seal can be maintained,this is not desirable. Therefore, disposable-type packages have not metwith much success with the result that the heavy bottle type reservoirsare still in almost universal use.

The present invention provides a simple complete disposable packageassembly which can serve as the reservoir for water-coolers or similarliquid-dispensing units. The package preferably is in the form of a bagand box which is relatively inexpensive so that it is economical to useit once and then discard it. The bag is preferably plastic and the boxis preferably fibreboard. An important feature of the invention is thatthe package assembly itself includes a valve with an operating floatwhich controls flow of water from the bag into the well of thewater-cooler, from which it is allowed to flow under control of thespigot. This valve and cooperating float is preferably of plastic, of avery simple nature, which opens by gravity and is automatically closedto maintain the desired level of water in the well by means of a simplefloat attached thereto, which may also be of plastic. No structuralmodification of the water cooler itself will be necessary and it willnot be necessary to provide expensive and hard-to-maintain valveattachments on the cooler since the control valve and cooperating floatis part of the package assembly and is disposable therewith.

The best mode contemplated in carrying out this invention is illustratedin the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one form of a disposable packageassembly mounted on a watercooler to serve as the reservoir thereof.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the end portion of a water-filledpackage assembly as supplied for use as a reservoir on the water cooler.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the end of the filledpackage assembly showing the opening-producing tear-out sections.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the package assembly with the coveredvalve in the bag pulled up through the opening in the end of the boxcreated by tearing out the sections thereof.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view of the end of the box of FIG. 5 but withthe protective cover and float removed from the valve.

FIG. 7 is a flat view of the blank used in forming the box.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 8-8 of FIG 1 showingthe disposable package assembly of FIGS. 5 and 6 inverted with the floatattached and mounted on the water cooler.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the valve with float attached showing itin the position it occupies on the water cooler.

FIG. 10 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 1 1 is a vertical sectionalview through the upper end portion ofthe package before it is opened and mounted on the water cooler.

FIG. 12 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 is a similar view showing tear-out sections in one end of thebox for producing an opening therein of a different shape.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged axial sectional view similar to FIG. 9 butshowing another form of valve and attached float.

FIG. 15 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 15-15 of FIG.14.

FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 14 but showing a different form ofvalve and attached float.

FIG. 17 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 17-17 of FIG.16.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing a different type of float whichcould be substituted for the float of FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is a similar view which shows still another type of float.

FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 16, showing the float detached and acover applied.

FIG. 21 is a similar view with a different float which also serves as acover.

FIG. 22 is a similar view showing a float which can be reversed as acover.

With reference to the drawings, in FIG. 1 there is shown a bag and boxdisposable package assembly 20 which is removably mounted on the upperend of a water cooler 25 of a common type and provides a disposablereservoir for the cooler. As indicated, this package assembly is notlimited to use on this particular type of water dispenser but may beused on various liquid-dispensing units. The water cooler shown includesthe cabinet 21 which has a flat upper end 22 and the package assembly 20is supported on this flat upper end preferably by means of an adaptersupport member 23.

The package assembly 20 preferably includes the box 30, the bag 31, andthe valve 32, as indicated in FIGS. 2 to 6, and 8 to 11. The bag and boxshown are generally similar to these commonly in use for packagingliquids and similar to the assembly shown in US. Pat. No. 3,173,579dated Mar. 16, 1965. However, the valve 32 is completely different instructure and operation and the box is designed with an end which has aremovable section through which the valve can be pulled before thepackage is mounted on the water cooler 25. Also, the box is providedwith means which cooperates with the adapter 23 to lock it in dispensingposition on the water cooler.

The box 30 can be made from the blank 30a shown in FIG. 7. This blank ispreferably made from a single flat sheet of material generally referredto as fiberboard and which may be corrugated board, paperboard or thelike. The sheet is properly scored and slit to provide the joined sidewall panels 41, 42, 43 and 44 with a connector flap 45 joined to theouter free edge of the panel 44, this flap overlapping the outer freeedge of the panel 41 and being secured thereto when the box is set up.At the one edge of the blank the outwardly extending end closure flaps41a, 42a, 43a and 44a are formed by scoring and slitting the blank andare hinged to the respective panels 41, 42, 43 and 44. At the other edgeof the blank the outwardly extending end closure flaps 41b, 42b, 43b and44b are formed and are hinged to the respective panels. The panel 41 hastherein, adjacent the flap 41a, a hinged tab 41c which is produced by aU- shaped slit and a hinge score line so that it can be pushed inwardlyto provide a locking slot when the box is mounted on the water cooler.The panel 43 has a similar tab 430 formed therein. The flaps 41a and 43ahave formed in their respective outer edges the arcuate notches 41d and43d. The flaps 42a and 44a have formed in their respective outer edgesthe tear-out sections 42d and 44d. The section 42a is provided byparallel slits 46 extending inwardly from the flap edge and a joiningarcuate perforated portion 47. At the inner extremity of the are 47 is atab 48 provided by a U- shaped slit and an inner perforated line 48a.The section 44d is provided by the parallel slits 49 extending inwardlyfrom the flap edge, the opposed inwardly extending perforated lines 51and a tab 50 provided by a U-shaped slit and an inner perforated line50a.

When the blank is setup as indicated in FIGS. 2 to 11, the one end willbe formed by cooperation of the flaps 41a, 42a, 43a and 44a. The flaps41a and 43a will be the inner flaps and will extend inwardly with theiredges meeting. The notches 41d and 43d will meet forming a continuousopening. The flaps 42a and 44a will extend inwardly in overlappingrelationship to the flaps 41a and 43a with their inner edges meeting andat these edges the tear-out sections 42d and 44d will align (FIG. 2).The sections 42d and 44d may be torn out by tearing from the inner edgesof the respective flaps, to the respective lines 48a and 50a where thefinal tearing permits complete removal of the sections 42d and 44d.

The bag 31 which is to be enclosed within the box preferably is ofplastic, as indicated in said patent, for example polyethylene. It isindicated in FIG. 6, 8 and 11 as being provided with a neck 55 at oneend which may be used both for filling and dispensing. The valve 32 isadapted to be mounted on the neck 55 by a sealing snap fit, in theexample shown, although it could be formed as-a part thereof. It will benoted best from FIGS. 8 and 11 that the neck has an outer edge 56 and anadjacent exterior locking groove 57. The neck 55 is also provided withan inner peripheral shoulder 54 and an outer peripheral flange 58 spacedaxially therefrom to provide an outwardly opening locking groove. Thebag 31 is filled with water either through the neck 55 or the valve 32mounted thereon. The valve may be on the neck of the bag when suppliedand be removed for filling or, as indicated, may be formed in the neckand the filling occur through it. At this time the box will have its oneor lower end closed by the overlapping closure flaps 41b, 42b, 43b and44b and its opposite or upper end open with the closure flaps 41a, 42a,43a and 44a extending outwardly. The bag is usually inserted in the boxbefore filling and, when filled, will rest on the closed bottom thereof.The valve 32 will receive a combination cover and float 32a as indicatedin FIG. 1 1. The box can then be closed by folding the flaps 41a, 42a,43a and 44a inwardly into superimposed relationship as indicated inFIGS. 2 to 4. In FIGS. 2 to 6 and 11 the box is shown in such a positionthat the valve 32 will be at the top, since the bag 31 will be in theposition it is in for filling, shipping or storage of the packageassembly. However, for dispensing, the package is inverted to positionthe valve downwardly in dependent position, as indicated in FIGS. 1, 8,9 and 11 and the details of this valve will be described with referenceto these figures.

The valve 32 includes a flanged cap portion 59, which is used inmounting the valve on the neck 55, and which includes an internalaxially extending sealing flange 60 and an external axially lockingflange 61. The two flanges are concentric and provide an axiallyinwardly opening annular slot for receiving the outer lip 56 on the neck55. The internal sealing flange is tapered at its inner edge at 62 tofacilitate insertion in the mouth of the neck and the external lockingflange 61 is provided with an inwardly extending annular locking rib 61awhich will snap into the annular groove 57 in the exterior of the neck55. Thus, the cap portion 59 when snapped on the neck 55 will beeffectively sealed thereon.

The cap portion carries an axially outwardly extending tubular valveguide 64, which has a valve member 65 mounted therein for axial slidingmovement. The guide 64 has a radially inwardly extending stop flange 66at its outer extremity surrounding an outlet opening 66a. The valvemember has formed thereon a guide section 67, of cross-shapedcross-section to permit passage of water, which fits slidably within andis guided by the tubular guide sleeve 64. The outer end of this section67 will contact the flange 66 to limit outward movement of the member65. The inner end of the member 65 is provided with a valve surface 68preferably of spherical form. The outer end of the member 65 has anoutwardly-opening central socket 69. The valve surface 68 is adapted tocooperate with an annular valve seat surface provided by an annularflange 70, on the interior of the cap portion 59, which convergesaxially inwardly to provide the annular concave valve seat surrounding acentral opening, but, the seat and valve surfaces could be reversed orother complemental seating surfaces could be provided.

It will be apparent that if the package is in dispensing position withthe valve 32 in a dependent posiition, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, thevalve member 65 of the valve shown will drop by gravity, aided by waterpressure, until the lower end of the guide section 67 rests on the stopflange 66. This will unseat the valve surface 68 from the flange 70,allowing the liquid to flow out through the guide tube 64 of the valve.To close the valve and interrupt this flow, it is necessary to pushupwardly on the valve member 65 to seat the surface 68 on the flange 70.

As indicated, the bag 31 is filled with water while it is in the box 30and may be filled through the neck 55 with the valve 32 removed. Thenthe valve is positioned on the neck. A combined cover and float 32a isslipped over the projecting guide tube 64. This cover, preferably ofplastic is shown best in FIG. 5 and 11 and comprises a large floatsection 71 which in the position shown is the lower section andcomprises an annular skirt depending from an annular radially outwardlyprojecting flange 72. Extending upwardly from this flange 72 is atapering portion 73 which has a tubular sealing portion 74 projectingupwardly therefrom and which is closed at its upper end and which isprovided with axially spaced annular sealing ribs 74a in its innersurface. On the closed upper end of the sealing portion 74 is a sternprojection 75 which has a spherical extremity 75a.

In using the cover 32a to cover the valve 32 (FIG. 11) the float section71 is passed downwardly over the valve and the tubular sealing portion74 is forced downwardly over the guide sleeve 64 so as to frictionallyengage therewith with a tight seal. The closed upper end of the portion74 is further provided with a depending hook-shaped sealing flange 77which snaps beneath the flange 66 on the guide sleeve 64 to furtherenhance the seal. At this time, the flange 77 will engage the outer endof the valve guide 67 to hold the valve surface 68 seated on the valveseat. Thus, the valve 32 is held in closed position by the cover 32a andthe valve is enclosed especially at its outer extremities so as toprotect it hygienically.

The package 20, with the bag 31 filled with water, is supplied to theuser with the box closed and sealed in the condition illustrated inFIGS. 2 to 4 and 11. When the user wishes to open the package, he tearsout the sections 42d and 44d from the end of the box. This exposes thevalve 32 with its combined cover and float 32a which will be below theopening on the inner flaps created by the flap notches 41d and 43d. Thenthe covered valve is pulled outwardly through the opening as indicatedin FIG. 5. If the cover and float 32a is removed, the guide sleeve 64 ofthe valve memeber 65 will be exposed as indicated in FIG. 6, the valvestem projecting upright from the end of the box. Adapter 23 ispreferably positioned on the valve end of the box before inversion todispensing position. The adapter frame 23 is preferably made of plasticand comprises a flat support plate or panel 23a upon which the end ofthe box is rested. This plate has a keyhole slot 76 located centrallythereof through which the valve 32 and neck 55 are adaptd to extend asshown in FIG. 8 and 12. The plate 23a has opposed upstanding, inwardlyangled, resilient box-gripping flanges 79a at opposite edges. Theseflanges carry inwardly extending locking lugs 78 adjacent their upperedges which will press the tabs 41c and 430, respectively, on the boxsides 41 and 43 inwardly so as to interlock with the resulting slots tohold the package 20 firmly in place in the receiving socket on the frame23. The other two edges of the frame 23 carry the upstanding locatingflanges 79 for the box. The plate 23a has a depending annular locatinglip 80 on its lower surface around the slot 76. In mounting the package20 on the cooler 25, the valve 32 and neck 55 are first passed throughthe enlarged circular part of the keyhole slot 76. Then the neck 55 ispushed laterally into the position indicated in FIG. 12 to lock it inthe narrow circular part of the keyhole slot, the flange 58 on the neckbeing on one side of the plate 23a and the flange 54 of the neck beingon the other side thereof to lock the neck from axial movement in acentered position in the plate. Before inversion of the box 30 with theadapter 23 locked thereon, the cover 32a is reversed by inserting thestem in the socket 69 of the valve member 65 and will be frictionallyheld thereon. The unit 32a will thereafter function as a float after thebox is inverted, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, since the float section 71will extend downwardly as indicated.

As shown in FIG. 8, the water cooler 25 has the flat upper wall 22 andbelow this wall is the annular well 85 in which a supply of water is tobe maintained and from which it can be withdrawn through the spigot 86.Above the well 85, is a central opening surrounded by the usual annulargasket 87, upon which the large bottle reservoir is usually rested.However, when the reservoir package 20 of this invention is placed onthe water cooler, the annular guide lap of the adapter frame 23 projectswithin the annular gasket 87 and the plate 23a thereof rests on theupwardly projecting gasket. The member 65 of the valve 32 will, at thistime, drop downwardly by gravity and open the valve allowing water toflow into the well 85.

The depending float 71 will function to control the level of the waterin the well 85. This float is of less diameter than the internaldiameter of the well so that it will be free of the wall of the well85in which it is centered. As long as the water in the well 85 is below apredetermined level, due to dispensing through the spigot 86, the valvemember 65 will drop downwardly with the connected float 71 and unseatthe valve surface 68 from the seat 70, allowing water to be supplied tothe well. However, as the water in the well rises, the float 71 willrise, moving valve member 65 upwardly until the valve surface 68 seatson the seat 70 and closes the valve. The valve will not open again untilthe float moves downwardly, due to a drop in water level in the well 85,caused by withdrawal from the well through the spigot 86.

When the package 20 is completely emptied, it can be easily removed anddiscarded. Then it can be replaced with a filled package.

It is possible to form the keyhole slot, for locating the valve axially,in the box end instead of the plate 23 as indicated in FIG. 13. In thisinstance, the tear-out portions 42a and 44e will be in the respectivebox flaps 42a and 44a and will be shaped to produce a keyhole slotthrough which the neck 55 of the bag can be passed and then movedlaterally to lock it axially. A more simple frame or other locatingmeans can then be used instead of the frame 23 to locate the packageassembly on the water cooler. If the keyhole slot is formed in the splitpanel at the box end, the material of that end is preferably moistureresistant.

The arrangement shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 provides a valve 32b which isslightly different and has a different combined float and cover 32c. Thevalve is shown in full lines in FIG. 14 in the position it occupies forstorage and shipping and in broken lines with the float in loweredoperative position. The valve 32b is mounted on the neck 55csubstantially as before and includes the movable valve member 650 whichis like that previously described except it has a tubular externallytapered stem 90 projecting axially out from the tubular guide 640. Inthe stem 90, a second stem 91 is telescoped to project therefrom andthis stem carries a combined float and cover 92. The member 92 isslidably mounted on guide 64c and has an inner socket 93 which enclosesthe valve guide 640 for sanitation when in its inner position shown infull lines. The member 92 is held in its inner valve-covering positionby its friction fit with member 64c but can be withdrawn to an outer orlower position indicated in broken lines in FIG. 14 and when so extendedit can serve as a float. Member 92 preferably is of foamed plastic orother buoyant material. When the float 32c is extended or retracted thestem 91 moves therewith and is held in its respective positions byaxially spaced grooves 94a and 95 in the outer stem 90 which are engagedby annular shoulders 91c on stem 91.

The arrangement of FIGS. 16 and 17 is similar but the float 92d isdetachable from the stem 90d at the interfitting joint 96. The valve 32dis mounted on the neck 55d and in sleeve 64d in the same manner asbefore but the valve member 65d is modified to provide the differentstem 90d. The float 92d will preferably be of foamed or cellularplastic.

The float 92e in FIG. 18 is the same as float 92d except it is a hollowbulb. In FIG. 19 the float 92f is hollow and inverted cup-shaped.

In FIG. 20 cover 32e is shown for the valve 32d of FIG. 16. This coverincludes a tubular inner pan 74d, which frictionally engages the guidesleeve 64d and provides a seal, and a frusto-conical outer part 75dwhich encloses the stem 90d. The closed outer end of part 75d engagesthe stem 90d and holds the valve member 65d in seated position. I

The structure shown in FIG. 21 is similar to that shown in FIG. 16except that the float 92g is different. It is in the form of abell-shaped float which is made of flexible plastic. It is fastened tothe lower end of the valve stem 90g by means of an interfittingjoint96g. While in the package and before use as a float, the bell isflexed upwardly into the broken line position so as to enclose the capportion 59g and the guide sleeve 64g of the valve. It is provided with aperipheral flange 61g on its edge which will snap beneath the skirt ofthe cap portion at 61e to provide an effective seal. Also, the structurewill be sanitary since all parts of the valve will be enclosed until theassembly is used in the watercooler. When it is so used, the float isflexed down into the full-line position indicated in FIG. 21. In thisposition it will function like the other floats.

The structure in FIG. 22 is similar to that shown in FIG. 21 except thatthe seal and float 92h is tubular and reversible rather than bell-shapedand flexible. It is mounted as before at a joint 96h on the end of thestem 90h. It is provided with a sealing lip at 61h which engages theinner edge of the flange of cap portion 59h when itfunctions as a cover.The action as a cover and as a float is similar to the combined coverand float 92g of FIG. 21.

It will be apparent that this invention provides a simple completedisposable package assembly which can serve as the reservoir for watercoolers or similar liquid-dispensing units. The bag and box type packagepreferably used is inexpensive so that it is economical to use it onceand discard it. No structural modification of the water cooler itselfwill be necessary and it will not be necessary to provide expensive andhard to maintain valve attachments on the cooler since the control valveis part of the package assembly and is disposable therewith.

What is claimed is:

l. A package assembly for use as a disposable reservoir in a liquiddispensing unit comprising an outer protective box and an inner flexiblebag disposed within and protected by the outer box, said box having asubstantially flat wall adapted to rest on a support surface when indispensing position on the dispensing unit with the bag filled withliquid, said bag having a neck which is adjacent said flat wall with thebag filled, a valve member on the neck for controlling discharge ofliquid through said neck in cooperation with a valve seat on the neck, aguide sleeve in which said valve member is slidably mounted for axialmovement between seated and unseated positions relative to said seat,said valve guide sleeve extending axially outwardly of the neck, saidsubstantially flat box wall having an opening through which the valveguide sleeve and neck can project, means for locking the neck in saidopening in a position such that the axis of the valve guide sleeve willbe substantially normal to the flat wall and the neck will be locked infixed axial position, said valve member seating on said valve seat whenmoved axially inwardly but dropping downwardly by gravity when the boxwith the filled bag is resting on said flat wall in dispensing position,a float for attachment to the slidable valve member, said valve memberbeing movable to closed position by said float when attached thereto andpositioned in said well to maintain a predetermined level of liquid inthe well, said means for locking the neck in said opening comprising alocking panel at said flat wall having a keyhole slot at said opening,said neck having a radially outwardly opening locking groove on itsexterior, said keyhole slot having a wide portion through which the neckcan pass axially and a communicating narrow portion into which the neckcan be moved laterally to lock it axially at said locking groove, saidlocking panel being part of an adapter which is adapted to support thebox on the support surface of the dispensing unit which is substantiallyhorizontally disposed, said panel of the adapter having a flat surfaceproviding said flat support surface on which the flat wall of the boxrests, said panel having said keyhole slot formed therein, and locatingmeans extending from said flat support surface of said panel forlocating the flat wall of the box on said flat support surface of thepanel to locate said opening in said box wall in cooperation with saidkeyhole slot in said adapter panel, said box having side walls at rightangles to said flat wall, said locating means on the adapter panelincluding a pair of opposed resilient box-gripping flanges which extendoutwardly from said flat support surface of the panel and are adapted toextend over and grip said side walls of the box when the box is insertedtherebetween, said box side walls having locking slots therein adjacentsaid box flat wall, and inwardly extending locking lugs on said boxgripping flanges for interlocking with said slots to retain the box onthe adapter with its flat wall resting on the support surface of theadapter panel.

2. A package assembly according to claim I in which the panel of theadapter has a second flat surface opposite the flat support surface, andan annular centering guide lip on said second flat surface surroundingsaid keyhole slot and concentric with the narrow portion thereof.

3. A package assembly according to claim 1 in which the valve guidesleeve is tubular and extends axially outwardly from said neck and hasan outer outlet end with the said valve seat formed therein axiallyinwardly of said outlet end, said valve member having a valve surface atits inner end for cooperating with said valve seat, said float includinga tubular cover portion adapted to be fitted over said valve guidesleeve to enclose the outer outlet end thereof to prevent contaminationthereof and to seal said outlet end prior to dispensing through saidoutlet end.

4. A package assembly according to claim 3 in which said float has itstubular cover portion engaging and covering said guide sleeve to seal itin one position but is reversible relative to said guide sleeve touncover its outlet and to serve as the float.

5. A package assembly according to claim 4 in which said cover portionhas a closed outer end which engages a portion of the valve member tohold it in its innermost position with said valve surface on said valveseat when the cover portion is positioned on said guide sleeve.

6. A package assembly according to claim I mounted as a disposablereservoir on a liquid dispensing unit having a well from which theliquid is to be dispensed and in which a selected level of liquid is tobe maintained, said unit having a support surface around said Well uponwhich said adapter is adapted to rest, and means for locating saidadapter to locate said extending valve guide sleeve substantiallycentrally of said well.

7. A package assembly according to claim 6 in which said locating meanscomprises an annular centering guide lip on a second flat supportsurface of the adapter opposite the said flat support surfacesurrounding said keyhole slot and concentric with the narrow portionthereof for fitting into said well which is circular.

1. A package assembly for use as a disposable reservoir in a liquiddispensing unit comprising an outer protective box and an inner flexiblebag disposed within and protected by the outer box, said box having asubstantially flat wall adapted to rest on a support surface when indispensing position on the dispensing unit with the bag filled withliquid, said bag having a neck which is adjacent said flat wall with thebag filled, a valve member on the neck for controlling discharge ofliquid through said neck in cooperation with a valve seat on the neck, aguide sleeve in which said valve member is slidably mounted for axialmovement between seated and unseated positions relative to said seat,said valve guide sleeve extending axially outwardly of the neck, saidsubstantially flat box wall having an opening through which the valveguide sleeve and neck can project, means for locking the neck in saidopening in a position such that the axis of the valve guide sleeve willbe substantially normal to the flat wall and the neck will be locked infixed axial position, said valve member seating on said valve seat whenmoved axially inwardly but dropping downwardly by gravity when the boxwith the filled bag is resting on said flat wall in dispensing position,a float for attachment to the slidable valve member, said valve memberbeing movable to closed position by said float when attached tHereto andpositioned in said well to maintain a predetermined level of liquid inthe well, said means for locking the neck in said opening comprising alocking panel at said flat wall having a keyhole slot at said opening,said neck having a radially outwardly opening locking groove on itsexterior, said keyhole slot having a wide portion through which the neckcan pass axially and a communicating narrow portion into which the neckcan be moved laterally to lock it axially at said locking groove, saidlocking panel being part of an adapter which is adapted to support thebox on the support surface of the dispensing unit which is substantiallyhorizontally disposed, said panel of the adapter having a flat surfaceproviding said flat support surface on which the flat wall of the boxrests, said panel having said keyhole slot formed therein, and locatingmeans extending from said flat support surface of said panel forlocating the flat wall of the box on said flat support surface of thepanel to locate said opening in said box wall in cooperation with saidkeyhole slot in said adapter panel, said box having side walls at rightangles to said flat wall, said locating means on the adapter panelincluding a pair of opposed resilient boxgripping flanges which extendoutwardly from said flat support surface of the panel and are adapted toextend over and grip said side walls of the box when the box is insertedtherebetween, said box side walls having locking slots therein adjacentsaid box flat wall, and inwardly extending locking lugs on said boxgripping flanges for interlocking with said slots to retain the box onthe adapter with its flat wall resting on the support surface of theadapter panel.
 2. A package assembly according to claim 1 in which thepanel of the adapter has a second flat surface opposite the flat supportsurface, and an annular centering guide lip on said second flat surfacesurrounding said keyhole slot and concentric with the narrow portionthereof.
 3. A package assembly according to claim 1 in which the valveguide sleeve is tubular and extends axially outwardly from said neck andhas an outer outlet end with the said valve seat formed therein axiallyinwardly of said outlet end, said valve member having a valve surface atits inner end for cooperating with said valve seat, said float includinga tubular cover portion adapted to be fitted over said valve guidesleeve to enclose the outer outlet end thereof to prevent contaminationthereof and to seal said outlet end prior to dispensing through saidoutlet end.
 4. A package assembly according to claim 3 in which saidfloat has its tubular cover portion engaging and covering said guidesleeve to seal it in one position but is reversible relative to saidguide sleeve to uncover its outlet and to serve as the float.
 5. Apackage assembly according to claim 4 in which said cover portion has aclosed outer end which engages a portion of the valve member to hold itin its innermost position with said valve surface on said valve seatwhen the cover portion is positioned on said guide sleeve.
 6. A packageassembly according to claim 1 mounted as a disposable reservoir on aliquid dispensing unit having a well from which the liquid is to bedispensed and in which a selected level of liquid is to be maintained,said unit having a support surface around said well upon which saidadapter is adapted to rest, and means for locating said adapter tolocate said extending valve guide sleeve substantially centrally of saidwell.
 7. A package assembly according to claim 6 in which said locatingmeans comprises an annular centering guide lip on a second flat supportsurface of the adapter opposite the said flat support surfacesurrounding said keyhole slot and concentric with the narrow portionthereof for fitting into said well which is circular.